mpted to reply; then he nearly covered the
slate with his definition. He evidently saw the difference between
intelligence and learning or knowledge, but had to use many words to
express his idea; but I thought he had as clear a thought as any of us.
After he had given the best definition he could, he added, "There is
another meaning to the word: it means news, sometimes."

There was, at this Asylum, a little girl, about twelve years old, who
was blind, as well as deaf and dumb. She was a very interesting child
from her countenance and manner, apart from her infirmity. Her face was
far more beautiful than Laura Bridgman's; her head good, but not so
fine at present, not so well developed. Her eyes were closed, and her
long, dark lashes rested on her cheeks with a mournful expression. The
teacher was just getting into communication with her, but had to make
many efforts, such as pressing her head, her heart, and shoulders, as
well as her hands. When he tried to tell her that Laura Bridgman, in
America, was in the same state that she was, and that she had learned a
great deal, and had sent her love to all the deaf and dumb, by a lady
who had come to see her, she raised her head, and looked as if trying
to see or hear, and then put out her hand. I took it, and then told the
teacher how Dr. Howe and others communicated with Laura Bridgman by
moving their fingers, and making certain impressions on the palm of her
hand. As I told him, I imitated the motions with my fingers on the palm
of her hand. She gave one of those peculiar screams which Laura
Bridgman does, at times, when she is excited, and her white face glowed
with pleasure and strong emotion.

Her teacher told me I had put myself into communication with her; but
my heart ached to think I could do no more.

In a few moments we left her. She told her teacher to tell me to give
her love to Laura Bridgman, and sat down again upon her little bench,
in the solitude of her perpetual silence and blindness.

When I had been over the institution, and seen the admirable work of
the inmates, and was about leaving, I had to pass near this lovely
child again. When I was within three or four feet of her, she put out
her hand and took hold of me. It seemed as if she knew me from the rest
of the party, after I had thus by chance spoken to her imprisoned soul.
No one will wonder that I could not keep the tears out of my eyes.

I visited another collection of children, who might hav